Level 1 sweep and inspection to the NFPA 211 annual standard - flue, crown, cap, and flashing checked and photographed
Chimney sweep logs do not sweep chimneys. They loosen some creosote - which then falls where a brush and vacuum still have to collect it.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterChimney Cleaning Before & After in West Hartford, CT
We’ve been sweeping chimneys in West Hartford since 1984, and we’ve learned that most homeowners don’t know what they’re looking at up there. These before-and-after cases show what creosote buildup, cracked flues, and failed dampers actually look like when we arrive, and what clean, safe, documented work looks like when we leave. The camera doesn’t lie, and neither do we.
Recent Transformations
Stage-3 Glazed Creosote Removal, Elmwood Neighborhood
The homeowner in Elmwood smelled something acrid every time they ran the fireplace, but the fires still drew okay. We found stage-3 glazed creosote, a hard, tar-like layer that forms when wood burns too cool and creosote vapor condenses on the flue walls. It’s the most combustible form of buildup, and standard brushing won’t touch it. We applied a professional-grade creosote modifier, let it work, then mechanically removed the residue with powered whips and hand tools. The camera inspection after showed clean terracotta flue tiles with no remaining glaze. The odor stopped immediately, and the homeowner had photo documentation showing the difference.
Fireplace Smoke Stain Restoration, West Hartford Center
A couple on South Main Street had converted to gas logs years ago, but the firebox still carried black carbon stains from decades of wood fires. They assumed the discoloration was permanent. We treated the firebrick with a non-acidic cleaner formulated for refractory surfaces, then hand-scrubbed the hearth extension and smoke shelf area. The original buff-colored firebrick came back, and we documented the flue condition with our level-2 camera inspection to confirm the gas conversion was venting properly. No one wants a dirty fireplace as their living room centerpiece.
Chimney Cap Failure and Water Damage, Buena Vista
The cap on this Buena Vista ranch had rusted through and partially detached, which is how squirrels had been getting in for two seasons. The homeowner heard scratching but didn’t connect it to the cap until we showed them the camera footage: nesting material, moisture staining on the flue tiles, and a deteriorating crown wash underneath the failed cap. We removed the debris, swept the flue, installed a Gelco stainless steel cap with proper mesh screening, and sealed the crown with a breathable water repellent. The scratching stopped, and the crown will last longer now that water isn’t pooling behind a rusted metal edge.
Clay Flue Tile Spalling and Liner Assessment, Westmoor Park Area
This Westmoor Park homeowner called for a routine sweep before burning season. Our camera found flue tiles with surface spalling, mortar joints eroded between courses, and a quarter-inch gap at one tile shoulder. The chimney was still structurally sound, but the flue gases were starting to contact the brick surround in spots. We completed the sweep, then presented the homeowner with timestamped photos and two options: a HeatShield cerfractory flue repair to resurface the existing tiles, or full liner replacement if they wanted a stainless steel system. No pressure, no mystery, just photos they could see and a verdict they could understand. They opted for the HeatShield application, which we completed in a single visit the following week.
Smoke Chamber Parging and Damper Replacement, Charter Oak
The damper on this Charter Oak fireplace hadn’t closed fully in years, and the homeowner was losing heated air straight up the flue all winter. When we inspected the smoke chamber, the corbeled brick was exposed and rough, creating turbulence that pushed smoke backward into the room on windy days. We parged the smoke chamber smooth with a refractory mix, replaced the throat damper with a top-sealing model that seals at the flue top instead of the fireplace throat, and ran the camera one more time to confirm the draw was clean. The homeowner reported back that the living room stayed warmer, and the fireplace stopped smoking on northeast wind days, which are common enough in West Hartford to matter.
Prefabricated Chimney Chase Top Replacement, Elmwood
The galvanized chase top on this prefabricated chimney had rusted through at the center, and water was running down the flue pipe into the firebox. The homeowner thought they needed an entirely new chimney. We replaced just the chase top with a stainless steel unit featuring a cross-break design that sheds water to the edges, sealed the flue pipe penetration with high-temp silicone, and swept the system to remove the water staining and minor debris. The repair cost a fraction of full replacement, and the 90-Day Done Right Promise covers the installation. If your chase top looks like a shallow pond after rain, it’s telling you something.
Want Results Like These?
Every job here started with a phone call to (860) 743-1516, answered by a live person. We’ll schedule your sweep, run the camera, and show you exactly what we’re seeing. If work is needed, you’ll get upfront pricing with no surprises on the bill, and our 90-Day Done Right Promise in writing. We’ve been in West Hartford for over 42 years. We’ll be here when you need us.
Written by Russell Haines, Owner at Hearthstone Chimney Co., serving West Hartford since 1984.